Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

The SCORAD index is an evaluation tool for the severity of atopic dermatitis that combines information on the extent, intensity, and subjective symptoms of the disease. To determine extent, the sites affected by eczema are shaded on a drawing of a body to calculate the affected area (A) as a percentage of the whole body, which has a maximum possible score of 100%. For intensity (B), a representative area is selected and six signs of inflammation (redness, swelling, itching, dryness, skin thickening, and oozing/crusting) are assessed on a three-point scale, giving a maximum score of 18 points. Subjective symptoms (C) include itchiness and sleeplessness, both of which are rated on a 10-point scale and combined for a maximum score of 20 points. The SCORAD for an individual is calculated as A/5 + 7B/2 + C, and therefore a maximum score is 103 points.

So far, vitamin D is the only essential nutrient that has convincing evidence for improving atopic dermatitis. In a meta-analysis, 4 trials found evidence for a meaningfully beneficial effect.^[3] Two used 1,600 IU; one used 1,000 IU; and one used sun exposure in a subtropical climate. Two were in children, and two were in older populations. More high-quality research is needed to confirm these findings and determine the best scenarios for using vitamin D for atopic dermatitis.

Other nutrients have been lightly researched, but they’re not worth mentioning at present.

Probiotics and synbiotics One meta-analysis of randomized trials in children found evidence of a beneficial effect for participants in the ages 1–18 category, but the effect on participants younger than 1 wasn’t statistically significant or as large.^[4] In particular, the most evidence for a positive outcome was found for mixtures of probiotics. However, the studies in general had a notable risk for bias, so more research will be needed to both confirm efficacy and clarify which combinations of probiotics are best. The meta-analysis only included studies where a dermatologist had evaluated the participants with the SCORAD method, which lends itself to a higher level of objective measurements but limited the number of studies. Another meta-analysis that included any trial that used probiotics to treat pediatric eczema found a general benefit, but again, multiple studies on particular strains or mixtures are needed before we can know how to optimally use probiotics. Finally, a meta-analysis looked at synbiotic (a combination of pre- and probiotics) supplements, and out of 6, a statistically significant benefit was found, but it’s unclear if synbiotics are superior to probiotics or which synbiotics are best.^[38]

Pharmaceutical and supplement therapies for atopic dermatitis are largely centered around substances that modify immune response to reduce the effects of persistent inflammation.

About one-third of children with eczema have a food allergy, and eating certain foods will make their symptoms of eczema worse. Some of the most common food allergies include cow’s milk, hen’s eggs, peanut, soy, nuts, and fish.^[13] Interestingly, there is little evidence that exclusion diets have any benefit for adults and children with eczema.^[14]

Most individuals with eczema suffer with chronically itchy skin. Topical barrier creams, corticosteroids, and antihistamines are often used initially, but for many these are not sufficient, and additional methods of itch-control are often used before resorting to immunosuppressive drugs. The first step to managing itch is prevention, with the most common being a daily bathing and moisturizing routine using eczema medications. Unfortunately, scratching the affected skin can sometimes make eczema worse — leading to more rashes, thickened skin, and infections.

There are several at-home remedies for itchy skin including:

• Low-pH skin cleansers
• Cold compress
• Pinching and patting the itchy skin instead of scratching
• Acv, baking soda, or oatmeal soap bath
• Wet wrap therapy
• Frequently moisturizing the affected area^[15]

We can not currently vouch for the efficacy of these methods, but they are commonly used.

A family history of atopic diseases — and atopic dermatitis in particular — is the strongest predictor, with twin studies suggesting a very high genetic component.^[10] Most of the genetic causes aren’t well understood, but one of the most likely contributors are gene variants of the filaggrin gene (FLG), which codes for filaggrin, an important structural protein of the epidermis that maintains proper skin barrier function.^[16][17][18] That said, most people with atopic dermatitis don’t have any FLG mutations, and a majority of people with FLG mutations won’t develop atopic dermatitis, so it’s only one part of the picture. Another genetic cause is gene variants of the serine peptidase inhibitor kazal type 5 (SPINK5) gene, which codes for a protein that helps regulate desquamation (peeling/shedding of the outermost layer of skin, which is a normal part of cell turnover but can go awry), preventing excessive breakdown of the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of skin). It also has implications for the skin barrier and skin dryness.^[19]

Besides FLG and SPINK5, some other genes related to atopic dermatitis are also related to immune function and inflammation, namely the cytokines IL-4 and IL-10.^[20][21] Gene variants in TLR2 and TLR4, which are involved in the activation of inflammatory signaling, are also associated with a higher risk.^[22]

Atopic dermatitis is a multifaceted disease with many processes that work together; variations in genes related to skin cell turnover, skin barrier maintenance, and inflammation are all likely to contribute.

The gut microbiome is involved in the regulation of immune function, with symbiotic bacteria helping to curtail immune activation that can aggravate atopic dermatitis. There is evidence that the gut microbiome is less diverse and there are fewer of some beneficial species in people with atopic dermatitis.^[11] Interestingly, dysbiosis in infants is associated with atopic dermatitis later in life.

It’s possible that, instead of alterations in the skin microbiome causing atopic dermatitis, the skin condition leads to microbial changes. Consequently, these changes in the skin microbiome can be seen as more of an exacerbating factor in atopic dermatitis rather than an initial cause, though a causal role is possible in some instances.^[23][24] In atopic dermatitis, the lesions are extremely likely to have an overabundance of the bacterium Staphylococcus. aureus, which can worsen inflammation and lead to dysregulated desquamation and insufficient beneficial species. Fungi of the Malassezia genus, as well as some others, may also aggravate atopic dermatitis in some scenarios. There is also the phenomenon of the herpes simplex virus migrating to atopic dermatitis lesions and causing complications, called eczema herpeticum.^[24]

Lower microbial diversity and low populations of beneficial species in the gut are associated with the risk for atopic dermatitis. When it comes to the skin microbiome, an imbalance is likely more of a consequence of atopic dermatitis than an initial cause, though a partial role can’t be ruled out in some cases.

Both active smoking and secondhand smoke exposure increase the risk of atopic dermatitis.^[25] Smoking has the potential to disrupt the healthy functioning of the immune system, both aggravating pathogenic (potentially disease-causing) immune responses and impairing protective ones.^[26] Prenatal exposure to smoking wasn’t associated with atopic dermatitis risk in general but has been in studies conducted in Asia.^[27][25] The reason for this discrepancy is unknown.

One meta-analysis found an association between maternal alcohol consumption and atopic dermatitis in offspring.^[28] Interestingly, it didn’t find an association between alcohol consumption and the skin condition for adults. It should be noted that these observations are based on a relatively small amount of research. It is possible that alcohol exposure in utero can lead to an immune system imbalance — called Th2 dominance — that is more associated with atopic dermatitis, but there may be other reasons.

There is some evidence that being born in winter or fall is associated with a greater prevalence of atopic dermatitis.^[29] One probable reason for this is lower humidity and an increased risk of skin dryness and disrupted skin barrier function during the first months of life. Higher immune activity during winter has also been observed, which could increase the likelihood of excessive skin inflammation. Vitamin D levels are a plausible cause, but the evidence for this scenario specifically isn’t compelling.^[30][31]

A meta-analysis found that a mother taking probiotic mixtures during pregnancy or breastfeeding can reduce the risk of atopic dermatitis in her children.^[32] This provides evidence that the maternal gut microbiome during pregnancy is relevant to offspring, though evidence outside of the context of probiotic supplementation is lacking. Another meta-analysis, investigating the effects of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium bacteria mixtures in children, also found convincing evidence for a reduction in risk.^[33] However, it should be noted that almost all studies included supplementation during pregnancy; only two studies didn’t. Yet another study looked at any probiotic supplementation and found notable benefits when women took probiotics during pregnancy. A total of 5 studies looked only at supplementation for infants; the results were positive overall, but we can’t be sure of them, and more research is needed.^[34] The evidence for giving infants and children probiotics for prevention is promising but very preliminary.

Early-life antibiotic use is associated with a higher risk of atopic dermatitis, though this could be as a result of an increased risk of infections due to other factors that further increase the risk of the skin condition.^[12]

Being overweight or gaining a large amount of weight during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of atopic dermatitis in children, while low weight gain during pregnancy is associated with a lower risk.^[35] These risks are small, and the extent to which the weight gain itself — rather than confounding factors, such as stress — plays a role is unclear.

Preliminary evidence suggests that maternal stress, anxiety, and adverse life events that could be causes of stress and anxiety are associated with a greater risk of atopic dermatitis in their children.^[36]

There is also some evidence that prenatal phthalate exposure increases the risk. ^[37]

The gut microbiome seems to be critical early in life to the risk for atopic dermatitis. Probiotic use during pregnancy and breastfeeding are likely protective, while antibiotic use is associated with a higher risk. Adverse prenatal conditions, such as excessive weight gain, stress and anxiety, or exposure to alcohol or phthalates, are also associated with an increased risk.